FOCUS

    Summer       2008

Kirk and Community News

For the Parishes of Cairngryffe and Symington

Church of Scotland

Cairngryffe with Symington Parish Churches

Minister:  Rev Dr Graham Houston

16 Abington Road, Symington (01899 308838)

Session Clerks: 

Cairngryffe- Mr Jack Meikle

Glenbow Cottage, Thankerton (01899 308397)

Symington-  Mr Ross Russell

Spindrift, Main Street, Symington (01899 308240)

SUNDAY SERVICES

May, June, July and August     9.30am   Symington

            11.00am   Cairngryffe

COMMUNION SERVICES

Sunday June 1st        9.30am   Symington

         11.00am   Cairngryffe

Sunday July 6th        11.00am   Cairngryffe  United Service led by Elders. ( NB no service at Symington)

Dates to Remember

Saturday June 7th Tinto Village Day at Symington Playing Fields

Sunday June 15th 9.30am   Sunday School Prizegiving, Cairngryffe

Sunday June 22nd 11am Trailblazers Prizegiving, Symington

Board and Session Meetings

Monday June 2nd 7.30pm (Manse) Joint Finance Committee.

Monday May 19^th and August 25th 7.30pm - Congregational Board and Kirk Session Symington.

                                                                               Monday August 18th 7.30pm   Kirk Session Cairngryffe                                                                                       

Visit our websites at

www.symingtonkirk.com Webmaster Robert Carson

www.cairngryffekirk.org.uk  Webmaster Jim Watt

From The Manse                                                              Summer 2008

In April I had an amazing reunion in Glasgow with people whom I had not met for 35 years since the days I was working in architecture. I graduated BSc from Strathclyde University in July 1972 and the same month began work as an architectural assistant in Govan, Glasgow. I was the first junior employee of the ASSIST project (Architects and Students Strathclyde Improvement Service to Tenements) which was based in a shop on the Govan Road. The project was the brainchild of Raymond Young, who had developed the idea of a community architects’ practice for his final year student project. (Raymond is now a Visiting Professor in the Strathclyde Architecture Department and Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland). In those days many tenements had no running hot water or inside toilets and the “lavvy” on the landing was shared by up to six flats. The government was prepared to award 90% grants so that these basic facilities could be provided in tenements, and a block near to what had been the Fairfields Shipyard was designated as a Treatment Area.

My job in those early days was to survey the property by visiting door-to-door and telling tenants and owners what improvements were possible and the costs involved. I’ll never forget the visit I paid to one old lady. I explained to her that she could have a bathroom inserted in one of the bed recesses and that she could have enough hot water to do her weekly washing in her own flat. She looked at me with incredulity and responded: “Son, I’ve no had a bath in 82 years, and I’m no havin’ wan noo!” By that she did not mean that she was one of the great unwashed but that her trip to the ‘Steamie’ (the public washrooms) was all she needed for her weekly bath and all her washing. Besides, that’s where she met her pals and why should she change the habits of a lifetime! The amazing thing is that when the improvements came to that part of the block, they had to bend the pipes around her flat! Nobody could be forced to accept changes that they were not ready for. But most people agreed and co-operated with the scheme which became a pilot project for the whole of Glasgow. Instead of demolishing the tenements and replacing them with high rise blocks, the city council decided to embark on widespread improvement projects. Eventually Raymond was asked to head up a major section of Scottish Homes, and ASSIST grew to become an independent practice which has today over 30 employees, some of whom I met at the reunion. It was also great to meet one of my former lecturers who was involved with the original ASSIST, and who is now retired. None of us who were working on ASSIST in the early days could imagine the influence the project would have and the real improvements it would enable all over our great city and beyond. We thought that modernising tenements might give the buildings ten more years of life before redevelopment. But the modernised blocks are still there, providing good affordable housing at a time when the housing stock is insufficient to meet current needs.

This year’s Church of Scotland General Assembly in May will receive a report from its Church and Society Council which calls for the building of 10,000 new affordable rented homes in Scotland each year, because virtually all of the improvable homes have already been upgraded. Raymond Young’s Christian faith was at the heart of his vision to provide better housing for some of the poorest people in Glasgow at the time, and the local parish minister of Govan Old was a great supporter of the project. That was the church where Rev George McLeod served in the 1930’s before he founded the Iona Community. He used to joke about the Christmas poster which was misprinted “Glory to God in the High St.” instead of “in the Highest”! But we certainly did see the glory of God in the Govan Road! It was during that year that I felt the call of God into full-time ministry and I think that it was partly due to my ‘pastoral work’ going round the doors of those tenements and meeting ordinary people. Due in part to that experience I have come to understand that our Christian faith is not just about personal beliefs, parish mission, and public worship, but must be integrated with serving the poor and working for justice and peace.

Now that Scotland has been brought into the age of the flushing toilet and hot water systems (which only forty years ago were still missing in many homes), we must be concerned for the millions in the world who are without these essential facilities with the result that they and their children are daily exposed to life-threatening water-born diseases. A few years ago one of our elders here introduced me to the work of WaterAid, and I unreservedly recommend supporting this relief agency which is providing financial resources, practical expertise and affordable installations for some of the poorest communities on the planet. Their website is www.wateraid.org Think of them when you are watering the flower beds over the summer (if we get some summer weather!) And think also about my story here. Because of one person’s passionate concern, history was changed right here in Scotland. What might God be calling you and me to attempt for his glory in the remaining days that we have been allotted?  Think about that, and have a refreshing break over the summer months so that you are ready to serve the Lord along with your Christian friends here in these parishes as we reach out together with the unchanging yet ever present love of God.

Yours in Christ, Graham Houston.

NEWS FROM THE PARISHES

Funerals

Symington March 11^th Annie Warwick Crosslaw House, Lanark

Cairngryffe March 31^st Fiona Stewart Crookboat Farm, Sandilands

Covington April 7^th Malcolm Ross Crosslaw House, Lanark

Pettinain April 16^th Margaret Baird Beechgrove Care Home, Lanark

Covington May 2^nd Thomas Taylor Heatheryhall Farm, Covington

Baptism

Symington April 20^th Madison Jayne Gardner, Tranent

Leading by Example

Graham’s new book, Leading by Example: Peter’s Way for the Church Today is now available after services or from the Manse at the reduced price of £9 (25% off the list price!).Professor David Cook of Green College, University of Oxford, says “The world’s understanding of leadership has penetrated the church. This book will help correct that by redirecting us to a servant model of what it means for women and men to lead in biblical ways. Graham Houston offers a compelling but provocative application of First Peter to the global church today. I read it with profit and delight.”

OSCR Accounts / SAMs

At our Stated Annual Meetings in March, both congregational treasurers reported surpluses in the 2007 accounts and they were congratulated for the way in which the new form of accounts required by the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) has been adopted. We’re very grateful to Linzi and Robert and for the contributions of all who were involved in that process.

Holy Week Services

This year Easter was earlier than at any time for the last 150 years, as was Holy Week. The services were well supported, but there is always room for growth.

Robert Carson

For some years Robert has been serving as the Symington Treasurer and Presbytery Elder, and has decided to resign from these roles due to changing domestic circumstances. Many thanks are due to Robert for his service over a number of years, with best wishes to him and Lynn for their relocations.

Church Without Walls National Gathering May 3-4

Graham and Irene (accompanied by grandson Noah) visited the Royal Highland Showground for this big event attended by about 8,000 people from all over Scotland. Worship led by Michele Guinness had a Jewish flavour, reflecting her family background, as did the tented village in which 180 congregations celebrated their life and work in tents which will be donated to aid agencies. It was something like the Festival of Shelters in ancient Israel. Graham and Irene met many old friends from their thirty years of ministry together, including their former congregations in Perth, Edinburgh and Penicuik. There were also children’s and youth programmes as well as adult seminars with internationally known speakers.

Christianity Explored

This 10 session course was attended by eight people in two blocks over the winter, and participants were involved in church services on the day of Pentecost, May 11^th and Trinity Sunday, May 18^th, sharing their reflections on the benefits of the course.

Vacancies

Symington Kirk Session is still seeking key people to fill the vacancies for Church Treasurer and Presbytery Elder, as soon as possible, and hopes to have a new team of leaders to organise Trailblazers after the summer break. Let the Minister or Session Clerk know if you wish to volunteer or recommend a friend!

THE GUILD

Symington Guild

The Guild held its AGM in March when many thanks were expressed to Lynn Carson who was retiring from the post of Secretary to the Guild.  Nikki Carlyle gave a illuminating talk on complementary therapies.  The end of the session was celebrated by a dinner held at the Tinto Hotel in April.

The committee has already been busy and the syllabus for the next session is well underway.  We hope to welcome all present members - and hopefully a few new faces - to our opening meeting on 25 September.  Members should note that a fund-raising coffee morning will be held on Sunday 31 August.

Contact Sheena Carlyle, President, at 01899 308269

Cairngryffe Guild, Thankerton

Despite the awful weather on Friday 7th march, the Guild played host to a

great turn-out for the World Day of Prayer in Cairngryffe Church. Everyone commented on a delicious tea, the excellence of the programme, especially the speakerAlan Grant, the lovely singing of Eleanor Potts, and the happy atmosphere in the beautifully refurbished Church. The Guild finished of a very varied and interesting Session with their AGM and dinner at the Tinto Hotel on April 9th.

The Committee remains as before with the exception of the President. Mrs Mary McLellan has taken over the position from Mrs Jessie Duff. As past President, I would just like to say a personal thanks to everyone in the Guild for their support over the years.

I still hope to see all the members in the new session in September but

from a different seat.

Have a great Summer and I hope the sun shines on you all.

Contacts:-  Mrs Margaret Watt, Secretary  01555 663394

                  Mrs Mary McLellan, President  01555 871114

SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS

The Trailblazers have been as busy as ever, over the past few weeks we have explored the Easter story and made Easter bunnies with chocolate eggs.  Just to keep everyone right there will no trailblazers on the following dates: - 4^th May, 25^th May and we will finish for the summer on 22^nd June which will be Prize giving day.  We hope the weather will improve and that we can take the children out and about over the coming weeks, if you would like to join our happy throng come along to the church hall on Sunday mornings, and take part in our arts and crafts, songs, stories and games. If you are interested in becoming a trailblazers leader please contact Lynda on 308943 as after many years Andy, Alma and I have decided to hang up our painting aprons and let some new blood with fresh ideas take over.  We would like to thank all the Mums and Dads for their support over the years and we hope that the new team will take Trailblazers from strength to strength.

          Linda Tucker  01899 308943.

CAIRNGRYFFE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

From now until the summer holidays we will be studying stories about Jesus through stories, prayer, worksheets, art and craft.

New children are always welcome.

We meet in the church at the start of the service and go through to the meeting room for our own activities part way through the service.

Dates for this term:
11/05/08            11.00AM

18/05/08            11.00AM

25/05/08            HOLIDAY

01/06/08            11.00AM

08/06/08            11.00AM

15/06/08            11.00AM                       Prize  Giving / Fun Day

Our new term starts on Sunday 17/08/08 11AM.

DATES for Autumn Term until the end of September.

17/08/08            11.00AM

24/08/08            11.00AM

30/08/08            11.00AM

06/09/08            09.30AM

14/09/08            09.30AM

21/09/08            09.30AM

28/09/08            HOLIDAY

Contact Rosmairi Galloway 01555 880779 for further information.

PRAYER PAGE

Prayer and Praise Services

Cairngryffe and Symington churches are continuing to meet on a Thursday Night and will finish for the summer season with the last being held on 5^th June. We would warmly welcome anyone wishing to join us for this meeting at Symington Church.

Anyone can ask for a prayer to be said for themselves or someone they know and they can be anonymous. In the vestibule you will find a box for prayer requests.

The dates and times of the next Prayer and Praise Services are as follows:  

Symington Church Thursday 5^th June 7.30pm

Prayer and Praise meeting starts again:

Cairngryffe Church Thursday 4^th September at 7.30pm

Keep the following in your thoughts and Prayers:

• Zimbabwe following their elections. The leaders of surrounding countries to keep pressure on the current leader to do what is right for his countrymen.
• Aid Agencies working at home and abroad such as The Vine Trust and Christian Aid who are only 2 of the many.
• The continuing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan
• The General Assembly May 15th – 21^st
• Our Minister Graham as he prepares for his study leave in Korea with 2 others from presbytery
• All who are recovering from major surgery or illness. For those who are still sick, at home and in hospital, and for the bereaved.

.

Living God we ask that you are with your children as we pray

Help us to be loving and caring to one another just as you are with us

So that everything we say and do may glorify your name and bring your kingdom closer to us

Lord hear our prayer

Amen

Prayer Promoters

Symington – George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648

Cairngryffe – Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CAIRNGRYFFE

This is to keep all our members up to date with what is happening in the Kirk Session at Cairngryffe.

* Don’t forget  our website for Cairngryffe Kirk is now up and running the address is www.cairngryffekirk.org.uk   This has made our world a smaller place in my opinion, I have recently been receiving e mails from Australia and New Zealand from people who are looking for more information on their ancestors who lived in this area over a hundred years ago.             

*In the last Focus I reported that we still have some fine tuning to do to the heating and ventilation . This unfortunately is still outstanding we are still waiting on good weather to get our man up onto the roof to shut off the roof vents, the three of them are stuck open and I am sure some people can feel the draught on a Sunday. The electrician will be replacing the two old heaters one beside the organ and the other on the opposite side very soon I hope. The one thing in our favour is the summer is coming when heating is less important.

* Following the success of our calendar last year the Session has agreed to produce it again for 2009. We are very grateful to Rena and Lily Borthwick for all the work they do to produce it

*Our team of visitors who make regular calls to our housebound members are doing a very worthwhile job, I regularly receive comments from both the visitors and the people visited. Thank you all

ladies and in some cases I know you take your husbands along too to chat to the man in the house this is all very worth while many thanks again.

*John Wilson our organist as most of you know has been off sick in recent weeks and after being in hospital is now recovering at home ,

I would like to wish him a speedy recovery and thank Alan and Linzi

For keeping our music going on a Sunday during his absence Thank you both.

                        Jack Meikle, Session Clerk at Cairngryffe

CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB

A Mystery Tour is planned for Thursday 3rd July to round off the activities for this session.  Meetings will resume on Thursday 9^th October in Thankerton Village hall at 2.00pm. 

       For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328

FLOWER LISTS

FLOWER LISTS

FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS

Cairngryffe Church

                                                                                Linzi Struthers, Treasurer

Symington Church

Treasurer’s Report

This will be my last report as Church Treasurer and I would like to thank all who have helped in any way over the past five years.

This year has not started well with a reduction in income of 9% compared to the same period last year. This despite the fact that we have had the benefit of the later service time when services are usually better attended. Expenditure is virtually the same for the period compared with 2007.

If the present trends continue then it is anticipated that the account will have a surplus of around £4,500 at the year end.

Income to 30/04/08                   Expenditure to 30/04/08

Offerings                      £  9837 Ministry & Mission         £  6382

Other Income                £    208 Staff Costs                   £    366

Special Income             £    210 Building Costs              £    860

Tax rebate                     £        0 Joint Cong Account       £  1000

                                                Other Costs                  £    554

TOTAL                         £10255  TOTAL                         £  9162

Robert Carson, Treasurer

SYMINGTON CHURCH CHOIR

Choir practices have now finished for the session and will resume in the autumn.  Gaynor wishes to thank members for all their hard work over winter. The choir hopes to hold a concert in Symington sometime around October so watch this space! As always, there is room for anyone who wishes to join us on a Wednesday evening at 7-30 in the church - why not phone Gaynor Russell, Choir Director at 01899 308240

PRESBYTERY NEWS

Presbytery Report

Rev Roy Cowieson (Carluke: St John’s) has been appointed to the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland.

Rev Margaret Muir will be the Interim Moderator at Cairngryffe l/w Symington during Graham’s period of absence on Study Leave.

Rev Anne McIvor is leaving Law to take up the charge of Gigha and Cara in the Presbytery of Argyll.  Her induction will be on the 7^th June 2008. Rev Bryan Kerr will be Interim Moderator at Law.

Mr Andrew Brown (Kirkmuirhill) has been nominated as Moderator of Lanark Presbytery for 2008-09. If selected he will be the first elder to be Moderator of Lanark Presbytery.

Rev Iain Cunningham, Dr Sinclair Scott, Rev Dr Graham Houston and Mrs Jenny Worthington will represent Lanark Presbytery on its visit to East Seoul Presbytery, South Korea, in October.

Rev Iain Cunningham (Carluke: Kirkton) has been appointed as Convener of Presbytery’s World and Community Issues for a further year.

Rev Dr Graham Houston (Cairngryffe l/w Symington) has been appointed as Convener of Presbytery’s Congregational Support Committee for a period of four years succeeding Rev Helen Jamieson (Carluke: St. Andrew’s)

Mrs Anna Lumsden (Lanark: Greyfriars) has been appointed as Convener of Presbytery’s Business Committee for a period of four years succeeding Mr Robert Carson (Symington)

Robert Carson, Elder to Presbytery

TINTO VILLAGE DAY

TINTO VILLAGE DAY - is nearly here - make sure you don’t miss it on Saturday 7th June. 

                                                               Tinto Village Day Committee

PETTINAIN VILLAGE DAY

We don’t have full information regarding the annual event at Pettinain but we are sure it will involve all the usual enjoyable activities for the whole family.  The fun will begin on the sports field at 1.30pm on Saturday 14 June.  Come along for a memorable day out.

Tinto School After School Club

Once again we have enjoyed a successful few months, with the P1-3 children getting a Yoga taster session with Norma Duncan, something that proved so popular, that we are arranging for further sessions in June!  Rachel Currie has also now set up the reading club, with high numbers of children attending and enjoying the sessions, the footballers have enjoyed various festivals and matches and the chess teams continue to enjoy their successes - they recently came 4th in the South Lanarkshire League (out of 24 teams) and now go on to represent South Lanarkshire in further matches.  The B Group also enjoyed a friendly game against Coulter Primary, and the whole Club enjoyed the UK Chess Challenge, where many qualified for the next round.  We are currently enjoying athletics (preparing for the meeting in Carluke on 21st May), netball, chanter, badminton, tri-golf, chess for beginners and are organising a one-off session of archery and abseiling at Loaningdale in Biggar.  We are still looking for volunteers from the Community to help out in the garden or to offer the children any new activities, so if you think you would be able to help, please contact Club Coordinator, Jane Stevens on 01899 308713 or e-mail janebillstevens@aol.com

Community Art Project

The Village Day committee are delighted that the mural depicting the beautiful rural landscape surrounding Tinto, has now been installed on the wall at Tinto Primary.  Local artist Chad McCall designed the piece, which was initiated by Tinto After School Gardening Club.  Their will be an official opening of the artwork on Friday 6th June at 2pm at the school and all members of the community are invited to come along. We would take this opportunity of thanking June McGill, Ally Stevenson and Jane Stevens for all their hard work in co-ordinating the project and also the following groups who worked on the panels (your official invitations to the opening will be with you soon!):-

Symington Guild, Tinto Primary School and Nursery, 1st Tinto Brownies, 1st Symington Brownies, Symington Rainbows, 1st Biggar Tinto Beavers, Symington Trailblazers

Editor's Note

Thank you to all contributors who provided the information contained in this newsletter.

The autumn edition of FOCUS will be issued early in September. Contributions from both community and church groups and organisations, covering the period from September 2008 up to the end of November 2008 should be sent to me by

Sunday 30th August 2008 at the latest.

For those organisations which have an annual syllabus, it would be very helpful if I could receive a copy prior to the September deadline.

The new Editor Charlie Todd can be reached at: - 63 Station Road, Thankerton, ML12 6NZ     Tel: 01899 308327

 or by email at mtb345@aol.com